Governor Dave Freudenthal: Biography

Before earning the title of “Gov. Dave,” Freudenthal served nearly eight years as the U.S. attorney for Wyoming, nominated by former Governor Mike Sullivan and appointed by President Bill Clinton. He had earlier spent sixteen years running his own private law practice in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he has made his home with his family for more than twenty years.

Freudenthal’s professional life has come full circle. Long before entering the private sector as an attorney, he worked for the state of Wyoming, beginning his employment in 1973 as an economist for the state Department of Economic Planning and Development. He then joined Governor Ed Herschler’s core staff as state planning coordinator in 1975 before going on to open his one-man law practice in 1980.

While working for the state, Freudenthal simultaneously earned a law degree from the University of Wyoming in 1980, following a bachelor’s degree in economics from Amherst (Massachusetts) College in 1973.

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Important Issues

Dave Freudenthal took office as Wyoming’s thirty-first governor on January 6, 2003. Governor Freudenthal’s mission is to provide leadership that builds public trust through accessibility, service, accountability and cooperation.

The Governor’s vision for Wyoming includes a state that values and nurtures family and community; a state with an enhanced economic base, thriving businesses, community development and protection for our social and natural environment; a state with natural resources developed in a safe and clean manner; a state whose residents have access to the latest and most productive technology; a state where high-quality education effectively prepares the state’s youth for a meaningful and challenging future; and a state where government services are delivered using financial resources in an effective and efficient manner.

Governor Freudenthal has used his term thus far to take initiatives in substance abuse and violent crime prevention; economic planning for the large percentage of baby boomers; supporting Wyoming’s large agricultural community; protecting the environment; making health care accessible; and increasing funds towards higher education. To support these projects, Freudenthal has issued an executive order to increase governmental support and awareness to diminish substance abuse and violent crime; urged the Select Water Committee to push legislation that sets aside money dedicated to building water storage projects; and supported the creation of an endowment for higher education. In addition to these actions, Governor Freudenthal has realized the need for government to become involved in health care in Wyoming and thus urged his legislature to do so. He is also dedicated to fiscal responsibility and keeping operating costs of the government down. To combat future problems, Freudenthal has proposed a restricted reserve savings account to protect against the uncertainties of the future.

Governor Freudenthal believes in personal responsibility, professionalism, high ethics and honesty, requiring accountability, efficiency and respect. The role of the governor’s office is to provide opportunity, through partnerships, to meet the needs of Wyoming, today and tomorrow.

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Copyright & Paid for by The Democratic Governors Association

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